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Horizon Europe Cluster 5 — Climate, Energy and Mobility

Horizon Energy: Biofuel-to-CHP Demonstration

Funds two €6.75M demonstrations that turn regional biomass residues into solid biofuel and burn it in a 10-30 MWe combined heat and power plant.

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Most industrial heat and power in Europe's regions still comes from fossil fuel, even where there's a local supply of biogenic residues and waste — offcuts, forestry residues, agricultural byproducts — that go unused. This topic funds proving, at real scale, that those residues can become a clean, sustainable fuel supply chain feeding a combined heat and power (CHP) plant.

A winning project build

Demonstrating, at TRL 6-7, a full regional value chain that sources and upgrades local biogenic residues and wastes into solid biofuel — sustainable under the Renewable Energy Directive — and burns it as the primary feedstock (no fossil co-firing) in a real, operational combined heat and power (CHP) plant sized 10-30 MWe, run continuously and cost-effectively for local industry. The project has to verify fuel quality and measured GHG and air-pollutant reduction, prove no negative impact on soil carbon, biodiversity, water, or other regional bio-based value chains through a location-by-location life cycle analysis, involve feedstock providers and SSH expertise directly, and produce a business case and exploitation plan built for replication beyond the one demo site.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.One-off
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.1 Dec 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.22 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.30%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€13.5M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL5-2026-11-D3-05Source: ec.europa.eu